South Africa vs India IND in SA, 4 T20Is, 2024 Full Scorecard

OUT! CAUGHT! A maiden T20I wicket for Ramandeep Singh and what a way to wrap up the game from India! Singh takes pace off and pitches the ball up a bit around off. Lutho Sipamla looks to heave across the line but is early in the shot and ends up slicing it high around backward point. Axar Patel takes a simple catch there and South Africa are bundled out for 148 runs. India win by 135 runs and take the series 3-1 as well!

Good length around off, Lutho Sipamla opens the bat face and pushes it away through covers for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Full and at the stumps, Marco Jansen gets down on one knee and sweeps it hard and flat past square leg for a boundary.

Bowled short over off and turning away, Jansen looks to cut but misses.

Well, that seemed like a prank almost! Held back on a length and angled in from outside off, Marco Jansen goes for the reverse sweep but ends up dabbing it down into the pitch and one bounce into the hands of Suryakumar Yadav at first slip. Sanju Samson goes up in appeal and the umpires, surprisingly do go upstairs to check whether that came right off the boot or not. The replays show that it was far away from the boot.

Flatter one, angled in with the arm towards the pads, tucked away past square leg for a single.

Beaten! Fired in quick and full outside off, Lutho Sipamla looks to cut off the back foot but misses.

Lutho Sipamla is the last batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! Top catch from Tilak Varma. Axar Patel tosses the ball up on off stump, Keshav Maharaj makes room and lifts it over wide mid off. Varma comes charging in from the deep and dives in to his left to take a fine catch with both hands. India just a wicket away now from sealing the game and the series.

Swing and a miss! Full and quick, pushed wide outside off, Marco Jansen looks for the expansive drive but misses.

FOUR! Gets the placement correct. Slower one, dug in a bit at the body, Marco Jansen waits well and swings it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Slower one, on a length and outside off, hit away wide of covers for one.

DROPPED! Ravi Bishnoi spills an easy chance and Ramandeep Singh has to wait for his maiden international wicket. Hard length around off, Keshav Maharaj stands tall and swings across the line but gets a top edge down to fine leg. Bishnoi there never settles under it and the ball ends up going through the hands and gets hit on the neck but thankfully, he is fine. Two taken! The physio has come out to have a look and it seems like Bishnoi's right ear is in pain but he is good to go.

Full and around off, Maharaj hangs back and chips it nicely over extra cover. Rinku Singh chases it down and flicks it back in to save a couple of runs.

Pitches it up full and angles it into the pads, Keshav Maharaj looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

In the air but in the gap as well! Flighted ball, full and outside off, Keshav Maharaj lofts it over the vacant cover region and picks up a single.

Tossed up around off, driven away straight to covers.

Appeal for stumping and it is sent upstairs! Nicely flighted, a bit full and around off, Keshav Maharaj leans forward to drive but is beaten and Sanju Samson dislodges the bails. The third umpire checks the replays and sees that Maharaj's back leg never left the crease. NOT OUT!

Strategic break! Well then, just a couple of wickets left for South Africa and they still need more than half the runs with 27 legal deliveries to play with. India have sealed the series win and it is just about how many more runs can the hosts can get from here to curtail the damage. Also, Keshav Maharaj is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Axar Patel gets into the wickets column on his third delivery and Gerald Coetzee has to depart here. Axar Patel bowls this one into the pitch and keeps it around off, Coetzee makes room to go big but ends up miscuing it right up and just behind the stumps. The keeper, Sanju Samson takes a simple catch and South Africa are now 8 down.

Flatter and around off, cut away in front of point for no run.

Axar comes into the attack now and starts off with a fullish delivery from around the wicket. This is pushed out on the off side.

SIX! Wow, that was almost a no-look shot from Marco Jansen. Floated up outside off, fuller too, Jansen sits down and swats the ball a mile over deep mid-wicket for another biggie.

Bowled into the pitch a bit and angled well into the pads from over the wicket. Marco Jansen swings across the line but misses.

SIX! Around the wicket, tossed up on the pads, Marco Jansen gets inside the line and flicks it over deep fine leg for a biggie.

Too full and around off, punched away down to long off for a single.

Fired in at the stumps, a tad full as well, Gerald Coetzee is late on the shot and gets an inside edge on the pads.

Flatter through the air and outside off, swung away off the inner half of the bat through square leg for one.

FOUR! Off the outside edge! Outside off. Coetzee slashes, it goes off the outside edge past the slip fielder and it races away.

SIX! Just over! On middle. This is hit over mid-wicket. The connection is good and it goes all the way.

On middle. This is swept through mid-wicket for one.

On off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Gerald Coetzee is in next.

OUT! Taken! Varun has another one! On middle. Simelane looks to slog sweep. It goes off the top edge towards short fine leg. It is taken by Ravi Bishnoi.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

SIX! This time he connects. On middle. He slams it over mid-wicket. It goes all the way.

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Down the leg side. Andile looks to sweep but misses.

On middle. The sweep comes out. It goes through mid-wicket for one.

On off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Andile Simelane is in next.

OUT! LBW! Given but reviews! Looks out! It is out! On middle. Stubbs looks to sweep but misses. He's hit on the pads. He's hit right in front. That's out. Could have gone either way! It is clipping the top of middle.

Marco Jansen is the next batter in.

OUT! Taken! Miller falls. Varun gets his revenge! On middle. This is lofted down to long on. It is taken safely by Tilak Varma.

SIX! That's massive! On middle. The slog sweep is out again and it sails over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Very wide outside off. Left alone.

Shortish and outside off. Miller chips it behind for no run.

FOUR! Hammered! A little too full and this is thumped down the ground to the long off fence.

Another ball has gone out of the park, the third time that's happened tonight and the umpires have had to change it once again.

SIX! That's massive! On middle. This is slog swept over the mid-wicket fence for a 104-meter behemoth.

Fuller and outside off. This is driven to cover for one.

Outside off. This is guided past point. Three taken.

On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and outside off. Miller looks to cut but misses.

The googly, this turns away. Miller is beaten as he looks to defend.

Around off. This is guided to point for one.!

On off. Stubbs looks to cut but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg.

A dot to finish with the changed ball. Flighted up, fuller and outside off, David Miller looks to reverse it fine but misses and the keeper spills the ball as well.

SIX! Finally, David Miller gets one right off the screws and that's gone out of the ground. Tossed up right in the slot on off, Miller clears the front leg and clobbers the ball a long way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. New ball, please!

On the shorter side around middle, Stubbs rocks back and pulls it flat and on the bounce to long on for one more.

Quicker one around off, sliding back on quite a bit, Tristan Stubbs backs away and cuts it off the stumps straight to backward point.

Full again and around off, right on the money, Miller heaves it down to long on for one and punches his bat in frustration.

Bowls it well full and in the blockhole around off, Stubbs clears the front leg but can't get under it and drives it down to long off for a single.

Good length around off, swinging away, Stubbs lifts it down to wide long off and picks up a single.

SIX! 20 off the over with one ball to go, finally something to cheer for the home crowd. Dug in a bit short and angled into the body, Stubbs hangs back and picks it up off the hips, flicking it high over deep backward square leg for another biggie.

WIDE! Pitches it up on the pads but this one slides down the leg side for a wide.

SIX! The first one of the chase! Too short and outside off, Tristan Stubbs fetches the ball and flat-bats it well in front of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

FOUR! Too full and angled into the pads, Stubbs picks it up and whips it down to fine leg for a boundary. The 50 is finally up for South Africa.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Tristan Stubbs sets up for the big heave but is well beaten by the away movement. Wide called.

Bowled into the pitch and hard over middle, Miller steps out and shanks the pull wide of long on for one more.

Slower ball, floated up on a shorter length on off, begging to be put away but this is swatted away straight to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Fuller in length and Miller brings out the reverse but hits it straight to the fielder at short third.

Quick and flat on off, Tristan Stubbs goes hard at it but gets an inside edge past leg stump for just a single.

Didn't pick that one at all! Expecting the googly but this is bowled full and outside off, turning away. Stubbs goes for the slog but misses.

Nagging length at the stumps, straightening down the line, Stubbs plays it off the back foot to mid0wicket.

Oh, just short! Around the wicket to the left-hander, bowled shorter and on off, David Miller gets bamboozled as he tries to fend off the back foot but gets a leading edge that falls short of the diving Ravi Bishnoi at short third. They get a single.

Starts off with a flatter one, bowled short on off, Tristan Stubbs backs away and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Strategic break! Well, we expected fireworks in the run chase but everyone was expecting those fireworks to come with the bat and not the ball. However, Arshdeep Singh has bowled a sensational opening spell, picking up 3 wickets which puts him just two behind Chahal's all-time record of 97 T20I wickets for India. Hardik Pandya too swung the ball prodigiously and all South Africa can do now is damage control.

Full again and around middle, Tristan Stubbs advances and drives the ball to the left of long on for one more.

Keeps the length full and attacks the stumps, Miller pushes it back past the bowler for a quick single.

Oh, that almost cleaned Miller up! Floated up a touch fuller around off, David Miller doesn't get to the pitch and looks to just hit on the up but the ball swings in and beats the inside edge, zipping past the off stump.

FOUR! Gets that one through! Short and wide, almost too wide, Miller reaches for it and slaps it off the toe end of the bat through extra cover for a boundary.

WIDE! Good length on the pads, swinging down leg for a wide.

Dug into the pitch and pushed well across the off stump, Stubbs fetches the ball and toe-ends the pull down to long on for a single.

Ramandeep Singh comes on to bowl now and begins from over the wicket. This is bowled full and wide, Stubbs makes room and slashes it away wide of deep third for a couple of runs.

Overthrows! Pitched up on off, Stubbs lets the ball swing and bunts it down wide of covers for a quick single. The throw at the bowler's end is just wide and there's no one backing up. Stubbs goes for the second run but Rinku Singh fumbles the ball in the deep and eventually, they get 3 runs. South Africa 30/4 at the end of the Powerplay!

Swing and a miss! Hard length on off, seaming away from the right-hander, Tristan Stubbs steps out and swings across the line but only connects with thin air.

The inside edge saves Stubbs! Nagging length on off, this one nips back in and once again Stubbs is late on the block, gets an inside edge onto the back leg.

Pitched up on middle, seaming away, Miller tucks it away around the corner for a single.

Dug in a bit short on off, doesn't rise up high, David Miller looks to pull but ends up toe-ending it down towards mid on.

Still some swing on offer! Back of a length and around off, leaves the left-hander, David Miller looks to ease it away through point but misses.

FOUR! That's audacious! Plays the reverse sweep. Full toss outside off. He hits it over short third for a boundary.

FOUR! Off the leading edge! On off. Stubbs looks to flick against the angle. It goes over point for a boundary.

On the pads. Miller looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad. A leg bye taken.

Beaten! Length and on off. This lands and moves away. Miller is beaten as he tries to defend.

Around off. Shaping away. Left alone.

No hat-trick! Full and on middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.

On the stumps. This lands and moves away. Stubbs is beaten as he looks to defend.

Length and around off. Kept out.

On the pads. Miller misses the flick and is hit on the pads. It rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Down the leg side. Wided.

Length and outside off. Left alone.

Two! Around off. This is pushed past cover for two.

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

David Miller is in at number 6.

OUT! LBW! Or is it? Klaasen reviews but that looks out. Three reds. Number 4 down. It's getting embarrassing for the hosts now! This lands around off and jags back in sharply. Klaasen looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pad. Singh on a hat trick now.

Heinrich Klaasen walks in with South Africa in heaps of trouble.

OUT! Taken! On the second attempt. It is all falling apart way too quickly for the hosts! On middle. A slower one. Markram looks to loft it down the ground. He's through the shot early. Hits it a mile up in the air and Bishnoi at cover latches on.

FOUR! First real shot of authority! They need a lot more of these! On middle. Fuller. This is lofted over mid-wicket and it races away.

This lands safe! Two more! Shortish and on middle. Markram looks to pull. It goes off the splice but lands ahead of mid-wicket. Two taken.

WIDE! Now the one that shapes away but it is well wide outside off. Markram throws his bat at it. He misses.

A lot of movement again! This lands on middle and jags back in. Markram looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.!

Fuller and on middle. Markram works it wide of mid-wicket for two.

Close but not close enough! A wicket-maiden though from Hardik Pandya and India are in total control here. Nagging length in the channel around off, this one keeps a shade low and angles back in. Tristan Stubbs gets pegged back looking to block but is beaten past the outside edge. Half a shout for caught behind but the keeper feels there is an edge on it and eventually the review is taken. UltraEdge shows that the ball went past the inside edge and there's no spike so it stays NOT OUT.

Tristan Stubbs is the new batter in.

OUT! Edged and taken! Length and outside off. Rickelton looks to pull but this shapes away late. It tore off the top edge to the keeper. Both the openers back in the hut.

Back of a length and on off. Defended.

Fuller this time! Around off. This one shapes away. Ryan looks to go over mid off but misses.

Gets bat on ball this time! Around off. Length. This is guided to point.

Unplayable stuff! Length and around off. This lands and angles away. Ryan looks to push at it but is beaten.

Hardik Pandya to bowl from the other end.

That's a top class first over! Good length and on middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. Good length. This is played back to the bowler.

Beaten! Length and outside it. Extra bounce. Markram pushes at it but is beaten.

Skipper, Aiden Markram is in at number 3.

OUT! Absolute beauty! The last one went away. This one comes back in. This lands around off and nips back in. Reeza looks to defend. It sneaks between bat and pad and hits the top of off. Early strike for India.

That's a beauty! Length and on middle. It shapes away late. Hendricks is beaten all ends up.

They're underway straightaway! Shorter and on off. This is guided to point for one.

Just the single to end but end of a massacre! Outside off. This is hit through covers for one.

A rare dot! Short and on middle. Samson looks to pull but missed.

SIX! Over the fence! All power! On the shorter side again. This is slapped off the back foot and over the cover fence.

Around off. Shortish. This is chopped to cover for one.

FOUR! Sheer timing! Full and on the pads. This is flicked! The timing is so good. It races across the turf and goes to the square leg fence.

Fuller and on middle. This is hit down to long on for one.

FOUR! Toying with the field! So difficult to bowl to this guy! He's hitting it everywhere! This is full and outside off. This is swept through square leg and it races away.

SIX! Down the ground! This is the highest score overseas for a side. This is fuller on off. It is lofted down the ground and over the long off fence.

WIDE! Well outside off. Wided.

Around off again. This is lofted down to long off for one.

This time he nails the yorker outside off. It is jammed past point for one.

FOUR MORE! This is angled into the body. Varma walks across and sweeps it over square leg. This one goes to the fence. Picked his spot well there. The field is set for the big hits on the off side but he manages to drag it over the leg side.

100 for Varma now! Back to back tons for him. He wanted to bag at no. 3 and has shown what he's capable of in that position. Absolute carnage. This is full and outside off. It is carved past point for two. He celebrates with a leap and by taking off his helmet.

Outside off. This is guided past point for one.

WIDE! Short and down the leg side. Varma looks to pull but misses. Wided.

100 for Samson! It's either a ton or a duck so far for him in this series. What a fluent knock. Brilliant. Gets there by cutting this ball outside off, through point for one.

FOUR! He moves onto 99! This is full and on off. Samson lifts it over the mid off fielder and this races away.

Outside off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Wide outside off. This is hit over cover for one.

DROPPED! Sums up South Africa's day! Full and outside off. This is flayed past point. Straight to deep point but Jansen drops it. Second one put down. Just the one.

Very well kept! This is way down the leg side. Varma looks to heave it but misses.

A full toss on the pads. This is hit through square leg for one.!

On the pads. Samson works it through square leg for one.

Fuller and on middle. A yorker, this is hit down to long on for one.

Fuller and on the pads. Varma works it through square leg for two. Both on 93 now. Varma has caught up with Samson.

FOUR! Finds the gap! The runs just aren't stopping! Tilak into the 90s. Full and on off. This is driven wide of mid off and it races away to the fence.

Fuller and on middle. This is worked through square leg for one.

SIX! Takes full toll of the Free Hit! That's smacked out of here! On middle. Fuller. This is lofted over long on. The last ball spoils the over completely. That extra ball really cost South Africa.

Strategic break! India have now posted their highest T20I score in South Africa and there are still 4 more overs to go. Not long ago, they hit 297 against Bangladesh and they still have a shot at crossing the 300-run mark which is mind-boggling to heard in a T20I game. South Africa need wickets in these final few overs if they are to save themselves from what would be a real pounding.

Shorter and outside off. Varma looks to cut but misses. Dot! It is not a DOT! No ball! Free Hit coming up.

Outside off. This is guided through point for one.

Dots are gold! Full and on middle. This is hit to mid on. Samson does not want to run.

Short and on middle. This is pulled down to fine leg for one.

Outside off. Fuller. This is lofted over cover for two.

Shorter and outside off. Varma swings but misses.

Well short this time! A bumper that's bowled almost in frustration by Gerald Coetzee but it is nailed right around the helmet. Tilak Varma is rushed into the pull and mistimes it just over mid-wicket for a single.

Another chance goes begging and Gerald Coetzee will not be happy with that. Banged into the deck over middle, this one hurries Varma who ends up splicing it high and over mid-wicket. Keshav Maharaj comes racing in from the deep and dives but fails to snare the ball, landing awkwardly on his shoulder as well. They get a couple of runs.

Lands safe! Full and wide outside off, Sanju Samson goes after it and slices the ball high up over backward point. The fielders from deep third and deep point converge but it falls right in middle and they get a single.

SIX! Right in the slot and over the ropes it goes. Overpitched around off, Samson stays deep in his crease and just hammers it flat over long off for his 8th six of the game as well.

WIDE! Gerald Coetzee struggling with fitness here. Hard length, angled well outside the off stump for another wide.

Wayward from Gerald Coetzee as this is bowled full and well down leg, Heinrich Klaasen does well to get a hand on it. Wide called and India get a single as well.

SIX! That's the 8th maximum for Tilak Varma in this game. Around the wicket, banged in short and outside off, not too short though. Varma hangs back and forces the flat-batted shot over long on for a biggie.

Gerald Coetzee is back on the field and back into the attack as well. Starts off with a full one on off, Sanju Samson hangs back and pushes it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! 22 off that over, India just a run away from 200 with 6 overs remaining, unreal! Flatter one angled across off, Tilak Varma brings out the reverse sweep again and nails it over backward point for a boundary.

SIX! Wow, what a shot from Varma and he is just playing like there's no tomorrow. Full toss, darted in at the stumps, Varma brings out the reverse sweep and nails it over deep backward point for a biggie.

SIX! This is getting outrageous now from these two. A tad full and angled into the stumps, Tilak Varma brings out the slog sweep and launches it over deep square leg for another biggie.

FOUR! Tilak Varma continues his rich vain of form at number 3 as he follows up the ton with another half century. Darted in full and outside off, Varma stays deep and angles it away wide of short third for a boundary.

Flatter one on the stumps, pulled away down to long on for a single.

WIDE! Speared across the right-hander from around the stumps but spilled beyond the tramline.

Oh, that took everyone by surprise! A high full toss over leg, Samson looks to make room but ends up chipping it wide of covers.

Bowled short and around off, this is eased off the back foot through covers for a single by Samson.

Good fielding in the deep! Short and outside off, slapped away by Samson to the left of deep cover but Andile Simelane covers good ground and puts in the dive to save a couple of runs.

Fired in at the body line, Varma works it away behind square leg for a single.

SIX! The sixes keep pouring in at the Wanderers! Tossed up on the stumps, not all that full but Varma gets enough on the slog sweep, launching it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. The 100-run stand also comes up between these two.

WIDE! Fuller but well wide of the off stump line, left alone by Varma.

Quick and flat, angled across off, Varma slaps it straight to covers.

FOUR! Nicely done! Maharaj angles this one well across the left-hander but Varma goes right across the stumps and shovels the ball over backward square leg for a boundary.

SIX! BANG! Too full and straight, Sanju Samson goes deep in the crease and swings straight through the line of the ball, hammering it clean over the bowler's head for a third biggie of the over, 20 from it and these are worrying signs for South Africa now.

Fuller in length and angled into the legs, Varma jams it out on the leg side for a quick single.

SIX! The 150 is up for India inside 12 overs. And would you believe it? Another slower ball! Around the wicket, floated up full and outside off, Tilak Varma hangs deep and gets low before smashing it over long on for a six.

Much better from Sipamla! Goes full and straight and nails it at the toes, Samson manages to dig it out towards mid on for one.

SIX! That slower ball hasn't worked at all for the Proteas in this game. Just too slow and short over middle, sitting up for the batter, Sanju Samson waits back and pulls it firmly over deep mid-wicket for yet another biggie.

Back of a length, tight on off and slanting it back in, Samson bends his back and dabs it down to short third.

SIX! Right on the boundary cushion! A well-directed short ball right around the helmet, Tilak Varma manages to get over the bounce and pulls it wide of long leg for a six. 13 off that over as well.

Pitched up on leg, Varma clears the front leg and checks the lofted shot, chipping it towards mid on.

Tilak Varma seems in agonizing pain at the moment and the physio rushes out to have a look. That was bang on the shoulder joint but hopefully, Varma is fine here. Varma is seen doing a few exercises and the magic spray also comes out from the physio. Varma is back up and good to continue.

Banged in short and right at the batter, Tilak Varma is early to step out as he looks to pull but gets hit flush on that left shoulder and is down.

Full and in the blockhole, angled in at the toes, Samson clips it away wide of square leg and picks up a single.

Gets away with it! Full and just angling down leg, Samson misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads and it well stopped by the keeper.

SIX! No mercy shown by the Indian batters! Slower one, short of a length and outside off, Sanju Samson hangs back, delays the stroke and slaps it up and over wide long off for a biggie.

Dot to end but the damage was done earlier on! On middle. This lands and spins away. Varma looks to pull but this one turns away and hits him on the body.

FOUR MORE! Toying with the field! There was a point put in place. Varma makes room. This is tossed up. It is lofted over cover and this races away. That's a massive over. South Africa under massive pressure.

FOUR! Cut away! Stubbs is taken to the cleaners. Shorter and outside off. Varma makes room and flays it past point. No chance of stopping that.

Just the one this time! On middle. This is hit down to long on. For one.

SIX! Two in a row! This time over mid-wicket. This is on middle. Samson lifts it again and nails it over the mid-wicket fence. That's the shorter side. 12 from the first two balls.

SIX MORE! Just over the fence. This could be a massive over! A biggie on the very first ball. On middle. Samson lofts it down the ground. He just about clears long on.

Now takes one as this is pushed through covers. That's a massive over.

FOUR! Slammed away! Beautifully finds the gap. Stays leg side and steps out. This is full and on off. He drills it past cover. This one races away to the fence.

On middle. This is worked down to long off for one.

SIX! Over the fence again. Tossed up. This is full and outside off. It is slog swept well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Runs continue to flow here.

SIX! Fine effort but it goes over the fence! It was a poor ball. Shorter and on middle. This is pulled hard towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder dives full stretch to his left. It goes just wide.

On middle. Samson steps out and looks to go over the off side. This goes off the inner half, down to long on. Only one.

Fuller and on off. Samson pushes it down to long off. Takes one.

Just wide! A little bit of turn there! This lands on middle and spins away. Varma looks to cut but it goes uppishly wide of point for one.

Flatter and on middle. Samson pulls it down to long on and takes one.

FOUR! Finds the gap! He doesn't play this shot often but has nailed this this time. On middle. He plays the reverse sweep between point and short third man. This goes to the fence.

Flatter and on middle. This skids through. Samson pushes it back to the bowler.

Steps out and then works it down to long on for one.

Strategic break! This has been a fast and furious start from the Indian openers and the Proteas pacers haven't had much of an answer. Also, the loss of Gerald Coetzee due to an injury could be even worse for the hosts as his overs will have to be filled in by the part-timers. South Africa need wickets whereas India will look to just consolidate. Skipper, Aiden Markram brings himself on to bowl now.

Good comeback then by Maharaj after going for a boundary on the very first ball! Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Fuller and on middle. Samson pushes it down to long off and takes one.

Just the one! Outside off. This is guided past point for one.

Flatter and on off. Varma pushes it to mid-wicket. Expect him to play an attacking shot now. He's not someone who stays quiet for long.

On off. Samson pushes it down to long off for one.

FOUR! Samson won't be stopping! That's a glorious stroke! Makes room. This is full and on off. Samson lofts it over covers. Goes inside out and it races away. Top class shot.

That's a fine 6th! Just the kind South Africa needed. A good slower one. Just holds in the surface a touch. It is driven to cover. India are off to a flier again.

Tilak Varma walks in at number 3.

OUT! Edged and taken! Sharma's luck runs out. He was dropped earlier, one went just past the keeper but this time he falls. He falls after providing his side a quick start. Length and on middle. Sharma makes room and looks to go over the off side. There's a little bit of extra bounce and it goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper. Welcome wicket for the hosts. These two were going along brilliantly.

FOUR! That's all timing! Just beautiful! Fuller and on off. Sharma leans into it and creams it past cover. He finds the gap and this one races away to the fence.

Almost snuck through. Sharma makes room. This is full and on middle. He looks to go over the off side but this goes off the bottom and to short third man. Just the one from the first three balls.

A yorker. Just the single this time as it is jammed out to mid off. South Africa really won't mind the singles.

Length and on off. Cramps Samson for room. He pushes it off the back foot to mid off. A rare dot.

Gerald Coetzee is brought back in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay but he seems to have pulled up while delivering the very first delivery of the over. Not good signs for the Proteas as Coetzee seems to holding his left hamstring and has to go off the pitch. Lutho Sipamla will bowl this over then.

SIX! A third six in the over and 24 runs come off it! Simelane goes full and wide, Abhishek Sharma steps out late and back away a bit before launching it on the full over deep cover for a biggie.

WIDE! A slower bumper now around off, just too high from Andile Simelane, wide called.

Good bowling! Sees the batter looking o step out again and nails another yorker at the toes, Abhishek Sharma squeezes it out on the off side.

Steps out once again does Sharma but this one is bowled right at the toes. Sharma jams it out to mid off.

FOUR! Streaky but Abhishek Sharma won't mind. Full and straight now, Sharma backs away to go big but gets a thick outside edge that goes quickly past the diving keeper and into the deep third fence.

SIX! This is carnage from the Indian openers! Slower again and dug in short over middle and leg, sits up nicely for the batter. Abhishek Sharma waits back and muscles it high and handsome over the mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

WIDE! A bit slower but spilled down the leg side for another wide.

The ball seems to have been lost here and the umpires are changing it.

SIX! Andile Simelane is greeted with a lusty blow from Abhishek Sharma. Hard length wide of the off stump, Sharma steps out and backs away before lifting it over deep cover for a biggie. That's gone out of the ground!

Andile Simelane comes into the attack now.

Grunts in and serves a wide yorker, taking some pace off the ball as well. Abhishek Sharma reaches out and squeezes it past point for a run.

Fuller in length on off and middle, Samson pushes it out wide of covers for a quick single.

SIX! Swung away over the ropes! Poor delivery, slower and shorter, sitting up nicely for the batter. Sanju Samson picks up the pace early and clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for another biggie. India racing along now.

That's gone a long way up but will land safely. Slower one, fuller and angled into leg, Sanju Samson backs away early and decides to go big but skews it straight over mid off for a couple of runs.

FOUR! An agricultural heave but the outfield is lightning fast. Good length at the stumps, angling in, Sanju Samson looks to hit down the ground but it comes off the inner half of the blade and goes through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Lutho Sipamla begins from over the wicket and pitches the ball up around off, Samson plays a good cover drive off the front foot but fails to beat the cover fielder to his left.

Good change-up from Jansen but 14 runs come off that over. Banged in again and around off but it is the slower one, Sharma comes forward to take on the pull but is well beaten

SIX! Up, up and away! Short ball at the body, hurrying the batter a bit but Abhishek Sharma manages to get under it and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

Beaten again! Banged into the deck over middle, angling it in, Abhishek Sharma backs away to open up the off side but misses.

Swing and a miss! Banged into the deck around off, this one seamed away as well with some extra bounce. Sharma tries to pull but is well beaten.

Excellent chase from Gerald Coetzee. Hard length again, angled into the batter, Abhishek Sharma makes room and launches the ball over mid on. Coetzee runs after it and slides in to save a couple of runs for his side.

FIVE WIDES! South Africa's woes with the extras continue. Hard length, starting on middle and leg and this one just angles a long way down leg, no chance for the keeper and it will be five free runs for India.

Nagging length, around the top of off and angling away, Samson hangs back and backs away a bit before tapping the ball on its head, guiding it to deep third for a run.

Pitched up again around off, Sharma gets across the off stump, looking to lift it over mid on but miscues it straight to the fielder there.

Pitches the ball further up and takes pace off as well, Samson stays back and pushes it through the gap at covers for a single.

FOUR! Wonderful hands from Sanju Samson! Back of a length around off, shaping back in as well, Samson presses back and cuts it late, using the pace of the ball to get it behind point for a boundary.

WIDE! Goes short again but falters with the line as this one is angled down the leg side for a wide.

Much better from Coetzee! Short again but bowled with much more intent and a tad shorter around off, Sanju Samson has to hop trying to play it away but is beaten for pace and bounce.

SIX! BANG! Dug in short but without any intent, sits up nicely for the batter over off, Sanju Samson has ample time to hang back and get on top of the bounce, smashing it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

On the money! Good length, on a tight line on off stump and extracts a bit of additional bounce as well. Sanju Samson tentatively fends it off.

A slight halt in play here as Abhishek Sharma has been struck on the helmet and a mandatory concussion check will now follow. The physio comes out and thankfully, everything is fine and we are good to continue. Also, Gerald Coetzee comes in to bowl from the other end.

Ouch! That's a nasty delivery from Marco Jansen and he is fired up! Brings out a quick bumper now, banging it in over off stump, this one hurries on and climbs up. Abhishek Sharma is taken by surprise as he looks to pull and seems to have got a top edge straight into the helmet.

Streaky once again! Hard length around the top of off, Sanju Samson looks to punch but gets an inside edge past leg stump for one more.

PUT DOWN! Marco Jansen could have easily had two in two but Reeza Hendricks has spilled that sharp chance. Full and quick at 143 clicks outside off, Abhishek Sharma looks to jam it out but gets a thick outside edge that goes fast towards first slip and Hendricks can't react in time, trying to catch it around his face. They get a single.

Samson avoids a third straight duck, just though! Cross-seamer from Jansen, full and around off, angling away, Samson pushes at it and gets an outside edge that travels well wide of first slip and goes down to deep third for a single.

Good length, aimed right at the middle stump line, Samson watches it well and plays it late, blocking it off.

Much better! Slightly fuller on middle and leg, swinging back in, Sanju Samson gets forward and just tucks it away to mid-wicket.

WIDE! That's loose from Marco Jansen to begin with! Hard length on leg, drifts down the leg side for a wide, the 24th one from South Africa in this series.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings and it is now time to get the play underway! The sun is shining and the umpires have taken their places on the field. The players of South Africa are also spreading out on the field as the duo of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma make their way out to the middle to open the innings for India. Marco Jansen will take the new ball and he is raring to go. Let's play...

Just a few minutes left for the start of this final game but first, the two sets of players walk out to the middle along with the mascots and lineup for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of India first, followed by that of South Africa.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says that they weren't too sure and were leaning towards batting first. Adds that they haven't been able to output at their best in all three departments but is excited at the opportunity to change that tonight. Mentions that they just have to level the series and were able to level it up from 1-0 down and ultimately it is up to the execution.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's captain, says that he is going to bat first and he will try to implement the same things from the pevious two matches. Adds that the plan is very clear where they put runs on the board and try to defend them. Concludes that these things happen in the short form of cricket and the series is on the line so they as a team have to put in their best efforts. Also informs that they are going in with the same team.

India (Unchanged XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy.

South Africa (Unchanged XI) - Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Andile Simelane, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Suryakumar Yadav and India will BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Natalie Germanos is pitchside. She starts by saying that it is a slightly cooler day than normal and mentions that it is the center pitch. Adds that the straight boundary is massive at 56 meters with 62 meters and 66 meters on either side. Shaun Pollock joins her and says that the surface looks really good as it has a thick covering of grass with barely any cracks which means it will carry through nicely. Reckons that once the batters start middling a couple of balls, they could really pile on.

Right then, the series is secured for India but they won't be happy to share it with South Africa, who on the other hand, will be eager to finish off on a high. There's also a forecast for a bit of rain before the start of the game but let's hope that stays away and we get a full game in. Toss and team news in a bit, stay tuned.

South Africa on the other hand, will surely try to get redemption for the World Cup Final loss by at least drawing this series. In the batting department, Tristan Stubbs has been brilliant and even Heinrich Klaasen had a good game last time around after an underwhelming first two games. Aiden Markaram as captain has been good but as a batter, he hasn’t been able to fire with the bat and the only consistent player has been Marco Jansen who will be crucial with both bat and ball in hand.

For India, the year 2024 has been prolific in the shortest format where they became the World Champions by defeating South Africa in the final. They have also won 23 games out of 25 in T20Is this year and will look to make it 24 wins out of 26 come the end of this game. India will likely field the same eleven from the previous game but the spotlight will be on Sanju Samson who has a couple of ducks after a couple of T20 tons and the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav who hasn't got going in this series. On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy will be key.

Hello, and a very warm welcome to the coverage of the 4th and final T20I between South Africa and India from the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. India are leading in the series by 2-1 at the moment and they will look forward to taking the trophy home by winning this match. On the other hand, South Africa would want to win this match to level up the series at 2-2. An exciting game is on the cards.

... MATCH DAY ...